Cigarette case and lighter



June 14, 1932.; s SPRAGUE l 1,862,913

CIGARETTE CAS-E AND LIGHTER Filed May 24. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Szdne Sprague.

BY w fk. le;

ATroRNEY f `lume 14, 1932.

S. SPRAGUE CIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER Filed May 24, 1929 2 Sheets-sheet 2 Patented .lune 14, 1932 PATENT OFFICE SIDNEY SPRAGUE, F BOSTON, `MASSACHUSETTS CIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER Application led May 24,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements 1n a clgarette case and lighter and has for its specific objects to provide an'v article that comprises in one unit a cigarette case and lighter constructed in such amanner that through an insignificant manlpulation and without vany effort a cigarette wlll be ejected and lighted at the same time.

Another advantage resides in the fact i0 that the cigarette case may be refilled with cigarettes without being taken apart.

As this invention notwithstanding the new and genuine features embodied therein lis very simple of construction, the manufacturing cost of same should be comparatively low. It is vthought desirable here to point out, that the invention embodied and described in this applicationconstitutes further improvements of somewhat similar devices for which the United States patent applications have been filed by me January 20, 1928, and March 22, 1928, under Serial Nos. 248,112 and 263,819, respectively.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangements of parts, hereinafter fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming parts of this specification, and in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all views, and in which: u

Figure lillustrates my cigarette case and lighter as an ensemble in closed position; Fig. 2 shows my device in an ordinary open and operating position in course of' ejecting a` cigarette; Flg. 3 1s a perspective view of one' section of my device; Fig. 4 represents a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the other section, or counterpart of my device;

Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation of my device, especially illustrating the lighting mechanism, while Fig. 7 is a detail view of the latter, and Fig. 8 is a central sectional view of the wick tube taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 shows a further modification of the said tube.

Referring more particularly to the drawinfrs, 10 indicates the embodiment of my 1929. serial No. 365,626.

device, comprising a front member 11 formed witha flat bottom 12 and somewhat curved sides 13 and 13', adapted to be snapped onto and slidably engage a counter, or rear member 14, with its hingedly attached boX-compartment 15, respectively. The said front member 11 has further arranged apartition 16, the latter extending however only approximately half the height of the member 11, and serves as a slidable support for the boxw compartment 15.

The front member 11 is still further provided with a top flange 17 extending between one side and the partition 16, the said flange has in close proximity to the latter arranged 5 a reduced portion 18 to permit the ejection of a cigarette. The front member 11 is arranged with an inner semi-wall 19, which by a bending or stamping process may be made to form an integral part with the front member, the flat bottom 12 and the side portion 13, and which is rigidly connected to the partition 16; the said semi-wall is provided with a cut-out portion, as shown at 20. Below thepartition 16 is arranged another cut- 75 out portion, or open space, 21 in order to permit the projecting arm 22 of the box-compartment 15 to engage and eject a cigarette 23, as the latter by means of a pair of spring piembers is placed in suitablel position there- 30 The said spring mechanism, comprises substantially two fiat, resilient steel members 24 and 25 of a somewhat curved shape, secured to each other at their upper ends as at 26. 35 The said spring members are further at their respective lower ends engaging two similarly flat members 27. and 28, of which the former is adapted to rest against the wall 13, and the latter against the cigarettes 29 positioned vertically in the casing. The construction, just described, is to the effect, that the said spring member will tend'to press the cigarette designated by the reference numeral 23 5 against the partition 16 of the said case, from where it will be carried upward by the projecting arm 22, as stated before.

i t The reduced upwardly extendingcut-out s portion 30 in the partition 16 tends further 100 to facilitate the lighting of the ejected cigarette 23 during operation.

The said front member 11 is at its bottom side arranged with an annular opening 31 adapted to fit a tube member of the box-section 15. The member 11 is further provided with an opening 32 having hingedly connected thereto a door 33 actuated by means of a spring 34; the said opening 32 forming an air-trap for cooperation with a wick member 43 for the purpose of ignition.

The counter part, .or back portion, of the casing comprises a rear member 14 having a somewhat curved side portion 35 adapted to snap onto and cover the side 13 of the member 11, when in closed position. The member 14 is furthei'provided with a broad top-ange 36 constructed with reduced portions 37 and 38-in order to forma snug tting of the twomajor sections when lockedl together, as shown in Fig. 1; the reduced portion 37 registering with the reduced portion 18 in the front member 11.

The f ree end of the member 14 has hingedly connected to it a box-compartment 15, as at 39, arranged to perform a free swinging movement in order to disengage the said boX- compartment with the member 14 from the front member 11.

The said box-compartment 15 comprises in detail a receptacle 40 adapted to contain benzine or alcohol, the said receptacle being filled throu h an opening at the end, closed by a tight tting screw-member 41. From the opposite end of the said receptacle extends through a tube 42 a saturated wick 43, the latter is, when the device is not operated but in locked position, enclosed by a cap 44 arranged upon the inner side of the door 33.

In order to Give the wick a rather upright position, as in icated at 43, the wick tube has been formed with two parts 45 and 46, as`

shown especially in detail in Fig. 8; the portion 45 consists of an ordinaryftube with an open end to facilitate the threading of the wick, and having a cutaway portion 47 for bending the wick 4to said upright position, a closed end cap 46 being shovedover the open end portion of the said tube 45. If desired the object in view may well be obtained by bending the said tube 45 in an outward direction, asshown in Fig. 9.

In the box compartment below the receptacle 40 is rigidly arranged a bracket-meulber 48, the latter serving as a support for a suitable friction wheel 49 pivotally mounted thereon. The'said bracket-member engages and supports at its lower end a tubular member 50, which at its other end is secured to the bottom of the box compartment, as at 51, a coiled spring 52 is disposed in said tubular member for the purpose of engaging an ignition stick 53, and bringing it into contact with the friction wheel 49. Upon the'said bracket is further pivotally mounted a housing 54,

which in Oturn has a pawl 55 pivotally ar ranged therein, the said pawl is turnably seated upon a pivot 62 disposed in one corner thereof, as shown in Fig. 7 the said pawl is 'further formed with asubstantially round upper portion .and with somewhat teethformed dents upon its lower side, the one of said dents 5G being especially adapted to engage a comparatively flat cam-spring 57 upon Vthe downward movement of the member 14;

the said cam-spring is fastened to the member 11 as especially shown in Fig. 5, and in Fig. 2 by dotted lines. A.

spring 58 serves as an actuating means for the said pawl in order to effect the engagement of the latter with the friction wheel at the proper time; this spring may also be attached as shown in dotted lines. In the box-compartment is further integrally arranged a lug 59, as shown in Fig. 6, adapted for engagement with a counterpart, or catch, 60, especially shown in Fig. 2; while the said lug by engaging the said catch serves to hold the door 33 in closed position, it is evident that by a movement in upward direction of the member 14 the said lug and catch will become disengaged, ast-he former slides out of contact with the latter, whereupon the door 33 will open by action of the spring 34.

In one side of the box-compartment is formed an opening 61 in order to permitthe flame from the wick to light a cigarette, when the latter during the operation of the device is in suitable position therefor.

In operating the said device, the part 14 with the box-compartment 15 is moved upward causing the lug 59 to become disengaged from the catch 60 and the door 33 to open, while simultaneously the arm 22 brings the cigarette nearest to the partition 1G upward, as shown in Fig. 2, and in position to be lighted by way of the opening 61, upon I thedownward stroke, which stroke also will leave the said cigarette about half way ejected and free.

During the said upward or separating movements of the parts thel pawl of the lighter system will slide by the cam-spring 57, whereas upon the downward stroke or closing movement the pawl by way of the recess 5G will catch the said cam-spring 57 and be carried by the latter somewhat back otfupward until it has reccdcd fa'r enough to slip by the said cam-spring, whereupon the said pawl by a jerking movement and quick action caused by the spring 58 will drop down and simultaneously impart to the wheel 49 a half rotary motion, which in turn will cause thel necessary friction between the said wheel and the ignitcr stick in order to produce a spark or flame for lighting thewick and-eventually the cigarette. While I thus have used and shown a cam-spring for setting off the pawl in order to produce in turn the lighting'effect, it is evident that other arrangements may well be made and constructed as equivalents thereof, and I therefore reserve all rights pertaining thereto.

It is rather evident that the lighter as embodied in this device 4and the principles thereof may be used separately or -in any other suitable combination, and I therefore reserve all rights in this respect.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts, as shown, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not therefore limit myself to the construction and arrangement shown and described herein.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United states is.-

1. A cigarette case and lighter, comprising two major sections detachably interengaged, a box-compartment pivotally connected to and forming part of one of the said sections and serving as an auxiliary means for en gaging and disengaging the said sections, the said box-compartment having a receptacle containing a lighting fluid, a tube downwardly extending from said receptacle, a wick arranged in said tube and a cap formed upon a `side-door of one of the said'sections, for enclosing the exposed part of the wick when the device is not in operation, the said tube consisting of two parts, one of these being formed with a cutaway portion and having an open end, the other of the said parts being formed as a cap adapted to cover the open end portion of the said former part of the tube.

2. A cigarette case and lighter, comprising two major sections detachably interengaged, a box-compartment pivotally connected to and forming part of one of the said sections and serving as an auxiliary means for engaging and disengaging the said sections, a receptacle forming part of said box-compartment, a lugr member formed at the bottom ofthe latter for engaging and expelling a cigarette, a friction wheel pivotally mounted on a-bracket-member arranged below the said receptacle, the said bracketmember having attached to it a tubular member secured oppositely to the bottom of the.

box-compartment and adapted to receive a coiled spring, the latter engaging an ignition stick urging it into contactwith the said friction wheel.

3. A cigarette case and lighter, comprising two major sections detachably inhzrengaged, a box-compartment pivotally connected to and forming part of one of the said sections and serving as an auxiliary means for engaging and disengaging the sald sections., a receptacle forming' part of sald box-compartment, a lug member formed at the bot-v tom 0f the latter for engaging and expelling a cigarette, a friction wheel pivotally mounted on a bracket-member arrangedbelow the said receptacle, the said bracket-member having attached to it a tubular member ,secured l oppositely tothe bottom of the box-compartment and adapted to receive a coiled spring, the latter engaging an ignition stick urging it into contact with the said friction wheel,

a housing turnably arranged upon the said bracket and having a pawl pivotally mounted therein, the said pawl being formed with a round upper portion and with a tooth-shaped dent upon its lower side.

4. A cigarette case and lighter, compris.- ing two 'major sections detachably interengaged, a box-compartment pivotally connected to and forming part of one of the said sections and serving as an auxiliary means for engaging and disengaging the said sections, a receptacle formin part of said boxcompartment, a lug mem er formed at the bottom of the .latter for engaging and' expelling a cigarette, a friction wheel pivotallymounted on a bracket-member arranged below the said receptacle, the said bracketmember having, attached to it a tubular member secured oppositely to the bottom of the box-compartment and adapted to receive a coiled spring, the latter engaging an ignition stick urging it into contact with the said friction wheel, a housing turnably arranged upon the said bracket and having a pawl pivotally mounted therein, the said pawl being formed with around upper portion and with a tooth-shaped dent upon its lower side,

the said dent being made t0 engage a flat for engaging and disengaging the said sections, a receptacle forming part of said boxcompartment, a lug member formed at the bottom' of the latter for engaging and ex-l pelling a cigatette, a friction wheel pivotally mounted on a bracket-member arranged below the said receptacle, the said bracketmember having attached to it a tubular member secured oppositely to the .bottom of thel box-compartment and adapted to receive a. coiled spring, the latter engaging an ignition stick urging' it into contact with the said friction wheel, a housing turnably arranged upon the said bracket and having a pawl pivotally mounted therein, the said pawl being formed with a round upper portion and.

with a tooth-shaped dent upon its lower side, the said dent being made t0 engage a fiat cam-spring upon the downward movement of the said pawl, the latter being actuated by means of aspring for engagement with a friction wheel, the said pawl engaging the latter during a downward movement only, substantially as shown and described.

6. A cigarette case and lighter, comprising two major sections detachably interengaged, a box-compartment pivotally connected to and forming part of one of Vthe said Sections and servingqas an auXiliary means for'engaging and disengaging the said sections, a receptacle forming part of said boxcompartment, a lug member formed at the bottom of the latter for engaging and eX- pelling a cigarette, a friction wheel pivotally mounted on a bracket-member arranged below the said receptacle, the said bracket-member having attached to it a tubular member secured oppositely to the bottom of the boX- compartment and adapted to receive a coiled spring, the latter engaging an ignition stick urging it into contact with the said friction Wheel, a housing turn'ably arranged upon the said bracket and having a pawl ivotally mounted therein, the said pawl eing formed with a round upper portion and with a tooth-shaped dent upon its lower side, the said dent being made to engage a lat camspring upon the downward movement of the said pawl, the cam-spring being integrally formed upon vone of the said major sections, a lug arranged in the said box-compartment and adapted for engagement with a catch formed upon a side-door of one of the said major sections, securing the latter together when in closed position.

7 A cigarette case and lighter, comprising two major sections detachably interenga ed, a box-compartment pivotally connecte to and forming part of one of the said sections and serving as an auxiliary means for engaging and disengaging the said sections, a receptacle forming partxofjsaid box-compartlment, a lugmember formed at the bottom of the latter for engaging and expelling a cigarette, a friction wheel pivotally mounted on a bracket-member arranged below the said receptacle, the said bracket-member having attached to it a tubular member secured oppositely to the bottom of the box-compartment and adapted to receive a coiled spring, the latter engaging an ignition stick urgmg it into contact withthe said friction wheel, a housing turnably arranged upon the said bracket and having a pawl pivotally mounted therein, the said pawl being formed with a round upper portion and with a tooth-sha ed' dent upon its lower side, the said dent belng made to engage a flat cam-sprin upon the downward movement of thesai pawl, the cam-spring being integrally formed upon one ofthe said major sections, alocking member arranged vin the said box-compartment and adapt-ed for engagement with a catch formed upon a side-door of one of the said major sections, securing the latter together when in closed position, a spring urging the opening of the door, when the said sections become disengaged, and a cutaway portion formed in one side of the box-compartment to facilitate the lighting of a cigarette, substantially as shown and described.

8. A cigarette case and lighter of the class described, comprising a front and a rear section pivotally and detachably vconnected by means of a boXLcompartment forming part of the latter, a lug member formed at the bottom of the said box-compartment .for engaging and expelling a cigarette, a locking member arranged inthesaidbox-compartment for co-operation with a catch formed upon a door of one of the said sections, an eX- tinguishing member integrally mounted upon the said door for cooperation with a Wick positioned in a tube, the said tube comprisingv two members and forming part of the said box-compartment, the latter havin arranged a friction wheel pivotally mounte on a bracket, a housing, a pawl for engaging the friction wheel on a downward movement, a tubular member arranged between the said bracket and the bottom of the box-compartment and having a spring arranged therein for engagement with and urging an ignition stick into contact with the said friction wheel, a second spring actuating said pawl, and a flat cam-spring co-operating with the latter, substantially as shown and described.

Signedat Boston in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts this 14th day of May A. D. 1929.

SIDNEY SPRAGUE. 

